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Navy chief to face disciplinary committee over martial law involvement

Published: 27 Feb. 2026, 19:33

Navy Chief of Staff Kang Dong-gil answers lawmakers’ questions during a parliamentary audit of the Navy conducted by the National Assembly Defense Committee at the Navy's headquarters in Gyeryong, South Chungcheong, on Oct. 23, 2025. [YONHAP]

The Ministry of National Defense is set to convene a disciplinary committee against Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kang Dong-gil on Friday over his alleged involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law bid in late 2024.

The ministry relieved Kang from duty earlier this month following revelations that he aided efforts to form the martial law command on the night of Dec. 3, 2024.

Kang, who previously served as chief of the directorate of military support at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is accused of ordering his subordinate to help efforts to form the martial law command, following orders from the then-deputy martial law commander.

The ministry has yet to request an investigation against Kang, citing his active cooperation in providing testimonies and documents related to the allegations.

Since Kang was relieved from duty on Feb. 13, the deputy chief of the Navy has been serving as acting Navy chief.

Yonhap